Women on the Frontlines of Pacific Peacebuilding

The article emphasizes the critical role of Pacific women in peacebuilding and security, advocating for their inclusion in formal and informal security processes. It highlights the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and the need for Australia and Pacific Island governments to recognize and support women's contributions to conflict prevention and peacebuilding. The article underscores the importance of local women leaders and community-level peace work, particularly in addressing climate change and other security threats. It calls for targeted investment in civil society organizations to enhance women's leadership and participation in security policymaking.

Portrait of an Artist series for Mai Life magazine

Series of articles on gender equality published via World Pulse

Pacific — and global — feminists are facing challenging times this week in New York with efforts to squeeze out NGO access to United Nations negotiations.

The article by Sharon Bhagwan Rolls discusses the challenges faced by Pacific and global feminists at the 61st session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61) in New York. NGOs have experienced restricted access to negotiations, which has hampered their ability to influence the outcomes. Noelene Nabulivou of DIVA for Equality and Caroline Lambert of the International Women's Development Agency have voiced concerns over the need for a strong Agreed Outcome document that addresses inequalities, sustainable consumption, climate change, and the global economic system. They also emphasize the importance of including language that supports women's economic rights and recognizes the human rights associated with sexual orientation and gender identity. The article highlights the shrinking space for civil society engagement and the risk this poses to the progress of women's rights. Feminists are calling on the UN and member states to ensure open negotiations and outcomes that reflect a strong universal human rights framework.